President-elect Yoon faces limited choices over North Korea
AtrafficpoliceofficerchecksthealcoholconcentrationlevelofadriverinPhanThi?tCityinthesouthernprovinceofBìnhThu?n.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I–TheMinistryofPublicSecurityhasproposedasignificantreductioninfinesfordriverswithalcoholconcentrationlevelsthatdonotexceed50mgin100mlofbloodor0.25mginonelitreofbreath.Specifically,theministrysuggestedimposingfinesrangingfromVN?800,000toVN?1million(US$39.6)fordriverswithalcoholconcentrationlevelbeloworequalto50mgin100mlofbloodor0.25mgin1litreofbreath.Thecurrentregulations,underDecree100/2019/N?-CPwhichtookeffectonJanuary1,2020,stipulatedthefinerangingfromVN?6-8million($237-317).Theministrysaidthatreducingthefinesstipulatedinthedecreeforalcoholconcentrationlevelstobetteralignwiththenatureandseverityoftheviolation.Itiscurrentlyseekingfeedbackonthechanges.Forviolationswherealcohollevelsinthebloodorbreathexceed50milligramsto80milligramsper100millilitresofblood,or0.25milligramsto0.4milligramsperlitreofbreath,theministryproposedmaintainingthecurrentfineofVN?16-18million($634-713).Thefineforalcohollevelsexceeding80milligramsper100millilitresofbloodor0.4milligramsperlitreofbreathremainsatVN?30-40million($1,189-1,586).Theministryalsoproposedfinesfordrunkmotorbikeriders.FinesrangingfromVN?400,000toVN?600,000willbeappliedforriderswithalcohollevelsintheirbloodorbreathnotexceeding50mgin100mlofbloodor0.25mgin1litreofbreath.Currently,thefineforsuchviolationsrangesfromVN?2milliontoVN?3million.TheministryalsosuggestedfinesbetweenVN?800,000andVN?1millionforoperatorsofspecialisedmotorvehicleswithalcohollevelsintheirbloodorbreathnotexceeding50mgin100mlofbloodor0.25mgin1litreofbreath.TheexistingfineforthisoffenseisVN?3milliontoVN?5million.TheRoadTrafficSafetyLaw,recentlyapprovedbytheNationalAssemblyandeffectivefromJanuary1,2025,stipulatesacompletebanonalcoholconsumptionfordriversoperatinganyvehicleonpublicroads.Specifically,itprohibiteddrivingwithanylevelofalcoholinthebloodorbreath.TheMinistryofHealthhasbeenassignedtoregulatethehealthconditionsofdriversandoperatorsofspecialisedmotorvehiclesandtoestablishguidelinesfordeterminingbothbloodalcohollevelsandendogenousalcoholconcentrations.AccordingtotheMinistryofPublicSecurity,aftertrafficpoliceintensifiedcrackdownondriversviolatingalcohollimitsin2023,thenumberoftrafficaccidentsrelatedtoalcoholconsumptiondecreasedby25percent,thenumberofdeathsdecreasedby50percentandthenumberofinjuriesdecreasedby22percentcomparedtothesameperiodin2022.–VNS
Amedicalworkerspraysdisinfectantatapreschoolwithchildrensufferingfromhand-foot-mouthdiseaseinPhúYênProvince.—VNA/VNSPhotoT??ngQuanHàN?I—TheMinisterofHealth(MoH)hasaskedprovincesandcitiestostrengthendiseasepreventionduringsummerthisyear.Therequirementwasreleasedaftertheinfectiousdiseasesurveillancesystemshowsthatcurrently,anumberofepidemicssuchasdenguefever,hand-foot-mouthdiseaseandmeaslesareontherise.TheMoHsaidthatthecountryisexperiencinghotandrainysummerweatheranditisalsothepeaktourismseason,withincreasedriskofsickness,especiallymeaslesanddenguefever.Toproactivelydeployinfectiousdiseasespreventionandcontrol,theMoHrequestslocalitiestopromotemonitoringandearlydetectionofsuspectedcasesandoutbreaksinthecommunity,aswellasatmedicalfacilities.Affectedareasandpatientsmustbequarantinedandsamplesmustbetakentoidentifypathogens.HealthunitsshouldworkcloselywiththeNationalInstituteofHygieneandEpidemiologyandthePasteurInstitutetoassessrisks,analysethesituationtodeploymeasures,handleoutbreaksandorganisevaccinationcampaigns.Localitiesmustpushupregularvaccinationtoensuresafetyandeffectiveness,reviewandholdadditionalvaccinationforthosewhohavenotbeenvaccinatedorhavenotreceivedenoughvaccinations.Medicalfacilitiesshouldencouragefamiliestogetchildrenandpregnantwomenvaccinatedfullyandonschedule.TheMoHdemandshealthstationstoensuregoodandactivetreatment,minimisingseriouscomplicationsanddeaths,strictlyimplementpersonalprotectionmeasures,infectioncontrolmeasuresandcross-infectionprevention.Theirdutyisalsotoprovidetimelyandcompleteinformationoninfectionpreventionmeasuresforpatientsandcaregivers.Localitiesareresponsiblefororganisingactivitiestoeducatepersonalhygieneandfoodhygiene,andlaunchingenvironmentalsanitationcampaigns.Provincesandcitieswillreviewandensurethereadinessoflogistics,drugsandmedicalequipmenttomeettherequirementsofepidemicpreventionandcontrol.Thelocalhealthsectorwillconducttrainingtoimprovecapacityinmonitoring,detecting,investigatingpathogens,outbreaktreatmentmeasuresandguidanceondiagnosis,treatment,firstaidandresuscitation.—VNSLeadersoftheMinistryofConstructionchairtheconference.—Photobaochinhphu.vnHàN?I—TheMinistryofConstruction(MoC)willpromotecoordinationwithministriesandlocalstoremovedifficultiesindevelopingsocialhousingaccordingtotheGovernmentsdirection,expertssaidinaconferenceheldonWednesdayinHàN?i.AttheMoCsconferencetoreviewtheworkduringthefirstsixmonthsthisyearandsettasksfortheremainderoftheyear,??uMinhThanh,theChiefoftheoffice,saidthatsince2021,503socialhousingprojectshavebeenstartedoverthecountrywith418,200houses.Amongthem,75projectshavebeencompleted,offering39,884houses.ThisyearsoveralltargetsetbytheGovernmentisfor130,000socialhousestobecompletednationwide.Thus,thenumberofcompletionwasfarfromthetargetassignedbytheGovernment,saidThanh.FutureplanOneofthekeytasksoftheMoCfortheremainingmonthsofthisyearisurginglocalitiestoimplementtheprojectBuildingatleastonemillionsocialhousesforlow-incomeearnersandindustrialzoneworkersintheperiod2021-30.Atthesametime,theministrywillproactivelyproposesolutionstorebalancesupplyanddemand,restructuretherealestatemarket,increasehousingsupply,strengthenforecastinformationandrespondwhenthemarkethasunusualfluctuations.DirectoroftheHàN?iDepartmentofPlanningandArchitectureNguy?nTr?ngK?Anhsaidthatthedepartmenthadproposedninelandareasforbuildingsocialhousingwithanareaofabout600hainCh??ngM?,Qu?cOai,Hà??ng,ThanhTrì,Th??ngTín,?anPh??ng,??ngAnh,GiaLamandtheMêLinhdistricts.LandfundsforsocialhousingdevelopmentareasolidbasisforthecapitalcitytocompletetargetassignedbythePrimeMinisterfortheperiod2021-30andstabilisetherealestatemarketandlocaleconomy,hesaid.Alsoattheconference,MinisterofConstructionNguy?nThanhNgh?suggestedsolutionsinoverallmanagementandadministration.Herequestedunitstofirmlygraspthedomesticandinternationalsituationtohaveaccurateforecasts,timelyadviceandeffectiveandpracticalmeasuresready.Alongwithtighteningdisciplineandorder,theconstructionindustrywillapplyinformationtechnologyindirection,managementandadministration,reviewtheassignmentoftaskstowardsthemottoofrightpeople-rightjobs-rightstrengths,saidNgh?.Fromthere,wewillcompletelyovercomethesituationofavoidingduty,notdaringtodothings,notdaringtotakeresponsibility.Thesectorwillalsoenhancetheresponsibilityofleaders,promoteinter-ministerialandlocalcoordination,whileimplementingtheministrysstatemanagementfunction.TheMoCwantstoinnovateitsapproachandcloselygrasplocalsituationstojointlysolvearisingproblemsandcreateconsensusintheworkimplementationprocess.—VNS
ThebridgeonHCMCitysfirstmetrolinespanningtheSàiGònRiver.Buildingaself-drivingtramlinerunningoncanalsisproposedtohelpreducecongestionintheTanS?nNh?tairportsvicinity.—VNA/VNSPhotoAnHi?uHCMCITY—Aprivateinvestorhasproposedtobuildaself-drivingtramlinerunningonHCMCityscanalstoreducecongestionnearTanS?nNh?tairport.AccordingtothecitysDepartmentofTransport,thelinewouldrunbetweenTanS?nNh?tAirportinTanBìnhDistrictand??mSenCulturalParkinDistrict11.Itwouldhavealengthofnearly30kmandanestimatedcostofaboutVN?20trillion(US$780million).PhanC?ngB?ng,deputydirectorofthemunicpalDepartmentofTransport,saidthedepartmenthassentadocumenttothecitysDepartmentofPlanningandArchitectureandtheUrbanRailwayManagementBoardtoseektheiropinionsontheproposaloftheHàN?i-basedTh?chBànParkJSC.Theworkisplannedtobecarriedoutinthreephases.ThefirstphasewillbefromtheairporttoNguy?nKi?uIsletinDistrict4withalengthof12.7kmrunningalongNhiêuL?c-Th?NghèCanal.Inthesecondphase,itwillbeextendedfromtheislettoBàTàngBridgeinDistrict8,adistanceof5.7km,along??iCanal.Thethirdphaseisan11.5kmsectionfromBàTàngBridgetotheintersectionofHoàngV?nTh?andútT?chstreetsalongTanHóa(chǎn)CanalandL?cLongQuanStreet.Accordingtothecompany,theworkisexpectedtoproceedsmoothlysinceitwillrunalongcanals,therefore,thereisnoproblemwithlandacquisitionandclearancechallenges.Itwouldmainlybebuiltofsteel,allowingmassproductioninfactoriestospeedupprogress,itsaid.Self-drivingtramshavetheadvantageofswitchinglaneseasilycomparedtomonorails,andthecostisalsolower,itsaid.Theworkisexpectedtobecompletedinfiveyears.Itwouldaddresscongestionneartheairportwhilealsohelpingdevelopthecitysurbanrailnetwork,itsaid.Themainstationswillbeconnectedtothemetrosystem.Thecityplanstobuildeightmetroroutesandthreetramlineswithatotallengthof220kmatanestimatedcostof$25billion.ThefirstmetrolinebetweenB?nThànhMarketinDistrict1andSu?iTiênThemeParkinTh???ccityisalmostcomplete,withthelatestplansayingitshouldbeputintooperationthisyear,andworkhasstartedonthesecond.ItisfundedbyofficialdevelopmentaidloansandtheGovernment.Theremaininglinesareintheplanningstage.Therehavebeennospecificplansforthetramlines.—VNSHàN?I—Parentsareexpectedtohavegreaterautonomyindecidingthenumberofchildrentohaveandthetimingbetweenchildbirthsinanefforttoimprovethecountrysbirthrate,accordingtothedraftpopulationlaw.Theirdecisionsshouldbebasedontheirhealthandfinancialconditions,accordingtotheproposalbytheMinistryofHealth(MoH).ThisisseenasaradicalchangecomparedtothecurrentPopulationOrdinance,whichcalledforeachcoupleorindividualtohaveonetotwochildren,withexceptionstoberegulatedbythegovernment.Vi?tNamissuedthePopulationOrdinancein2003,whichwasamendedin2008.Thelawaimstoaddresspopulationchallengesatthetime,includingbirthrateandpopulationdistribution.Whentheordinancecameintoeffect,Vi?tNamhadnotachievedreplacement-levelfertilityuntil2006.Aroundthesametime,genderimbalanceatbirthbecamemorepronounced.Thecountryspopulation,nowstandsatover100million,enteredthe‘goldenperiodin2007andtheageingphasein2011.The‘goldenpopulationhascreatedacompetitiveedgeforVi?tNaminitssocio-economicdevelopment,alongsidebetterpopulationdistributionaswellasimprovedhumanresourcequality,ahigherhumandevelopmentindex(HDI)andlongeraveragelifeexpectancy.TheMoHhascalledforchangestoupdatethePopulationOrdinanceinalignmentwiththecurrentsituation.ThismeanstakingintoaccountchangesinthePartysdirectioninshiftingfromfamilyplanningtopopulationdevelopment,radicallyaddressingissuesrelatedtopopulationsize,structure,distributionandquality,aswellasrights,responsibilitiesandframeworksfordifferentstakeholdersinpopulationmanagement.Intheimpactassessmentreportonthepopulationlawproject,whichisopenforpubliccomments,theMoHsaidthatthereplacement-levelfertilitylevelisatthelowestinthepast12yearsandisexpectedtocontinuedeclining.Vi?tNamstotalfertilityratein2022was2.01childrenperwoman.In2023,thisfigurewasestimatedat1.96.Thereportalsohighlightssignificantfertilityratedisparitiesbetweengroupsandregions.Thetendencytohavefewchildrenornoneatallhasbeenemerginginurbanareas,whereeconomicconditionsarehigh.Meanwhile,inseveralareaswithsocio-economicchallenges,fertilityratesremainelevated,reaching2.5childreninsomelocations.Tosustainablymaintainthereplacementfertilitylevelof2.1childrenperwomannationwide,theMoHproposesparentsshouldhavehigherautonomyinchildbirth.TheMoHexpectsthatthismeasurewillpreventbirthratesfromplummeting,resultinginaseverelyageingpopulationanditsadverseimpactsonsocio-economicdevelopmentaswellasnationalsecurityanddefence.—VNSProfessorNguy?nQuangTu?n.—VNA/VNSPhotoT?tS?nHàN?I—ProfessorNguy?nQuangTu?n,57,formerdirectorofB?chMaiHospitalandHàN?iHeartHospital,whowenttoprisononchargeofcorruptioninmedicalbidding,isworkingasaninternatHàN?i-basedH?uNgh?Hospitaltoobtainanewprofessionalcertification.Sourcestoldlocalmediathatafterreceivingtheapplication,thehospitalfacilitatedTu?nsinternshipinaccordancewithregulations.ThesourcesalsosaidthatTu?nmuststartfromscratchlikeafreshmedicalgraduatetoqualifyforprofessionalcertification.Tu?nstartedhisinternshiponJuly1.Asperregulations,Tu?nwillneedtointernfor12months.Aftercompletingtheinternshipperiod,Tu?ncanproceedwithapplyingforanewprofessionalcertification.Oncehegetsthathecanresumemedicalpracticeandprescription-writing,thesourcessaid.Tu?nisreportedlyworkingintheinternalmedicinedepartmentofthehospital.Regulationsstipulatethatdoctorsmustinternforninemonthsininternalmedicinedepartmentsandthreemonthsintheintensivecare.Previously,Tu?nwassentencedtothreeyearsinprison(includingthedetentionperiod)forviolatingregulationsonbidding,causingseriousconsequencesonApril2023bythePeoplesCourtofHàN?i.In2012,Tu?nwasappointedasDirectorofHàN?iHeartHospital.Theindictmentstatedthatsince2015,Tu?nallowedtwocompanies--HoàngNgaMedicalEquipmentJSCandKimHòaPhátBiotechnologyJSC--tosendmedicalsuppliestobeusedinadvancebythehospital.Afterextensivebiddingprocedureswerelegitimatelycompleted,shortenedbiddingroutewasdesignatedandTu?napprovedthedecisionforthesetwocompaniestowinthecontractforextensivepackagesin2016andfourdesignatedpackagesin2017.Tu?nandother11defendantsofthecaseabusedtheirpositionstoillegallyinterveneinbiddingactivities,thecourtdecided.Theycarriedoutmanyviolationsfromthebiddingdossier,unitprice,type,quantityofstentsandothermedicalsupplies.ThedefendantsatthehospitalcolludedwiththedefendantsatAIC–Vi?tNamValuationandInvestmentJSC,toissueappraisalcertificatesattherequestandafixedpriceofthehospital,whichTu?napproved.ThisensuredthatthetwocompanieswonthebidsandsoldmedicalequipmentinviolationoftheProcurementLaw,causingmorethanVN?53.6billion($2.2million)indamagestothehospitalandtheSocialInsuranceFundacrossallfivebiddingpackages.Thecourtpointedoutthatitwasaveryseriouscase,infringingontheStateseconomicmanagementorderinthebiddingfortheprocurementofmedicalequipmentandsupplies,affectingthereputationofthehealthsectorandthehospital,causinginsecurityamongthepeopleandgoingagainstthecurrentfightagainstcorruption.Tu?n,whoheldthehighestpositionattheHàN?iHeartHospital,hadtobearthehighestresponsibilityfortheviolations.ButthecourtalsodeterminedthatTu?ncommittedthecrimewhilethehealthsectorfacedmanydifficultiesandtheprocurementofmedicalsuppliescouldnotbemetintimeduetoshortcomingsoflegalregulations.ThecourtalsotooknoticeofthefactthatTu?nwasaleadingphysicianwithprofessionalqualificationsinthefieldofcardiologyandwashighlyregardedbybothdomesticandinternationalexperts.Thecourtheardthatduringhiswork,hewasawardedmanynoblemedals,trainedgenerationsofdoctorsandsavedmanylives.Duringtheinvestigationandatthetrial,Tu?nwassincere,repentantandattemptedtoremediatetheconsequences.Healreadyreturned$10,000thathereceivedfromHoàngNgaMedicalEquipmentJSCandVN?6billion($256,000).Thesewerebelievedtobeextenuatingcircumstancestomitigatethesentenceforhim,thecourtsaid.Tu?nisnotprohibitedfromassumingpositionsorpractisinghisprofession,hecanresumepractisingimmediatelyuponreceivinghiscertification.In2018,Tu?nwasrecognisedbytheStateCouncilforProfessorofVi?tNamforachievingthestandardofProfessorinMedicinein2017andwasawardedthehighestprizeintheVietnameseTalentAwardsinthemedicalfieldforthetopicInterventionofcoronaryarterystenosisviastentplacement.InMarch2020,Tu?nwasappointeddirectorofB?chMaiHospital.Atthattime,theCOVID-19pandemicwasongoingandtheimagesofdoctorsfromB?chMaiHospitalappearedinalmosteveryregionsupportingpandemicpreventionefforts.—VNS
E-cigarettesamplesaredesignedtoresembletoysandmilkcartonstoattractchildren.VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—Thenumberofhospitalisationsduetoelectroniccigaretteusehasbeenincreasingrecently,withmostcasesinvolvingyoungpatientsexperiencingacutepoisoning.Inthefirstsixmonthsof2024,thePoisonControlCentreatHàN?isB?chMaiHospitalhastreatedaround100casesofe-cigarettepoisoning.OnJune26,a20-year-oldmaninHàN?iwasrushedtoB?chMaiHospitalafterfallingintoacomaandsufferingmultipleorgandamageduetousinge-cigarettes.Around4amthatday,hisfamilyheardstrangenoisesandfoundhimconvulsingandunconscious.HewasimmediatelytakentoanearbyhospitalandthentransferredtothePoisonControlCentreinacomatosestatewithrespiratoryfailure,multipleorgandamage,brainandheartinjuries,severemetabolicacidosisandkidneyfailure.Testsonthee-cigarettehehadusedrevealedthepresenceofsyntheticcannabis.Theyoungmanhadahistoryofusinge-cigarettesformanyyearsandhadpreviouslybeenhospitalisedfore-cigarettepoisoningin2023.DrNguy?nTrungNguyên,DirectorofthePoisonControlCentresaid:Inthefirstsixmonthsof2024alone,thecentrereceivedapproximately100casesofe-cigarettepoisoning.Incontrast,intheyears2022and2023,thecentrereceivednearly130casesofhospitalisationforthesamereason.Notably,manytestsonpatientse-cigaretteshavereturnedpositiveresultsfordrugs.AsurveyconductedbythePoisonControlCentreone-cigarettesamplesusedby120patientsrevealedthat16ofthesesamplestestedpositivefordrugs,accountingfor13.3percent.ToxicologytestsonsomespecimenssenttotheforensicinstitutedetecteddrugsincludingADB-Butinaca,MDMB-Butinaca,ADB-4en-PINACA,MDMB-4en-PINACA,EDMB-4en-PINACA,THCandPB-22.AccordingtoNguyên,hospitalisationsduetotheuseofnewtobaccoproductshavebeenincreasingrecently.Thewidespreaduseofe-cigarettesisgrowingrapidly,withmostcasesinvolvingyoungpatientssufferingfromacutepoisoningafterusingthistypeofcigarette.Manypeople,especiallyteenagers,believethate-cigarettesareharmlessbecausetheydonotcontainaddictivenicotine.Thisisamisconception.E-cigarettesposethreemajorhealthrisks:nicotine,artificialflavoringsanddrugs.Currently,thetreatmentcostsforacutepoisoningcasesfromdrug-lacede-cigarettesrangefromover10milliontohundredsofmillionsof??ng,Nguyênsaid.E-cigarettes,heatedtobaccoproductsandothernewtypesoftobaccoareharmfultohealth.Theypavethewayforabuse,addictionandexposuretosyntheticchemicals,leadingtonumerousnewdiseasesandhealthissues.Theyalsocomplicatetheproblemsassociatedwithtraditionaltobaccoanddrugs.Therefore,itiscrucialnottoevaluate,researchorexperimentwiththeseproducts,hewarned.EasilypurchasedonlineNguy?nTh?An,DirectorofHealthBridgeCanadainVi?tNam,saidthate-cigaretteproductscouldnowbeeasilypurchasedthroughsocialmediaplatformslikeFacebookande-commercesites.Shesaidthatwithcolleaguestheyhadtriedorderinge-cigarettesthemselvesandwhenthepackagearrived,itwaslabelledasanti-acnecosmeticsasawayforchildrentoeasilydeceivetheirparentsandteachersandpurchaseandusee-cigarettes.Inourresearch,whenweaskedwhystudentsusede-cigaretteproducts,60percentsaidtheystartedbecausetheirfriendssharedthem.WithaproductcostingonlyaroundVN?10,000,studentscaneasilyshareanduseitinclassasitisveryaffordable.Theycanevenbuythesenew-generationtobaccoproductsbyskippingjustonebreakfast,shesaid.Analsonotedthattheseproductswereincrediblyeasytopurchase,convenientandaccessibleatanytime,evenbeingsoldastoysatdrinkstallsrightoutsideschoolgates.Thatswhywealwaysemphasisethatifnewtobaccoproductsareonlybannedforchildrenunder18,itisafailure.Productslabelledasmilkareclearlytargetingchildren.Moreover,e-cigaretteswithappealingflavoursareobviouslyaimedatchildren.Fromaneconomicperspective,Anpointedoutthatallowingnewtobaccoproductswouldnotprovideanyeconomicbenefitand,inthelongrun,negativelyimpactthehealthoffuturegenerations.Asurveyshowedthatin2019,therateofnewtobaccoproductuseamong13-to17-year-oldswas2.6percent.Thisrateincreasedto3.5percentin2022and7percentin2023.Specifically,among13-to15-year-olds,the2023surveyindicatedausagerateofupto8percent.Accordingtoreportsfromnearly700healthcarefacilities,in2023alone,therewereover1,200hospitalisationsduetotheuseofe-cigarettesandheatedtobaccoproducts.Theprimarysymptomsuponadmissionwereallergies,poisoningandacutelungdamage.Expertshaveproposedanurgentbanontheimport,production,distributionandsaleofe-cigarettesandheatedtobaccoproducts,aswellasbanningadvertisingandpromotionoftheseproductsinVi?tNam.Inthelongterm,regulationsfromtheresolutionshouldbeincorporatedintotherevisedLawonPreventionandControlofTobaccoHarm,theysaid.—VNSPhanLêThuH?ng,DeputyDirectoroftheDepartmentofPlanningandFinanceattheMinistryofHealthandDirectoroftheCentralProjectManagementUnit.VNA/VNSPhotoMinhNgh?aHàN?I-TheProjectforInvestmentandDevelopmentofPrimaryHealthcareServicesSystem,fundedbyloansandgrantsfromtheWorldBank(WB),hasbeenoperatingsince2020.Theprojectholdssignificantimportanceforthehealthcaresector,particularlyfortheprimaryhealthcarenetworkinthirteeneconomicallyandsociallydisadvantagedprovinces.InaninterviewwiththeVNA,PhanLêThuH?ng,DeputyDirectoroftheDepartmentofPlanningandFinanceattheMinistryofHealthandDirectoroftheCentralProjectManagementUnit,providedinsightsintotheprojectsachievementssofar.CouldyouprovidedetailsontheprogressoftheProjectforInvestmentandDevelopmentofPrimaryHealthcareServicesSystembeingimplementedinthe13provinces?Theprojectisdesignedtoenhancethequalityandefficiencyofhealthcareservicesintheprimaryhealthcarenetworkof13provinces.Itisbeingexecutedatthecentrallevelandin13provinces,includingHàGiang,B?cK?n,S?nLa,YênBái,HòaBình,Qu?ngBình,Qu?ngTr?,Qu?ngNg?i,NinhThu?n,TràVinh,H?uGiang,B?cLiêu,andLongAn.Theprojectadoptsacomprehensiveinvestmentstrategy:upgradinginfrastructure,renewingmedicalequipment,traininghealthcarepersonnel,improvinghealtheducationcommunicationactivities,supportingthecompletionofpolicyframeworksrelatedtoprimaryhealthcareandpilotinginnovativeprimaryhealthcareservicedeliverymodels.Theprojectisexpectedtoenhancethecapacityoftheprimaryhealthcarenetwork,therebyensuringhealth,increasinglifeexpectancyandimprovingthequalityoflifeforpeopleindifficultareas.Regardingfundingscale,theInvestmentinandDevelopmentofPrimaryHealthcareServicesSystemprojectisoneofthelargestinvestmentprojectsinthehealthcaresector,withatotalbudgetofapproximatelyUS$120million.Thisreflectsthehealthcaresectorsstrategyofprioritisinginvestmentresourcesforprovidingessentialhealthcareservicesinchallengingareas.Onagovernancelevel,thisisconsideredoneofthefirstprojectsinthehealthcaresectorimplementedunderanewgovernancemodelthatmaximiseslocalautonomy,wherebytheprojectprovincesactasthemaininvestorsforthesub-projectsimplementedintheirareas.Thisgovernancemodelpromisestohavealong-termpositiveimpactontheprojectmanagementcapacityoflocalities,whichpreviouslyreliedheavilyoncentral-levelmanagementstructures.MedicalstaffprovidehealthconsultationstopeoplevisitingCamChínhCommuneHealthStation,CamL?District,Qu?ngTr?Province.VNA/VNSPhotoCouldyousharetheinitialresultsoftheprojectinthesethirteenprovinces?TheprojectwasimplementedonMay18,2020,coincidingwiththeonsetoftheCOVID-19pandemic,posingsignificantchallengesinthefirsttwoyears.Despitethis,theprojecthasreceiveddecisivedirectionfromtheMinistryofHealth,theeffortsofthethirteenprovincialPeoplesCommittees,thecommitmentoftheCentralProjectManagementUnitandprovincialprojectmanagementboardsandenthusiasticsupportfromdonorstopromoteactivitiesaimedatachievingthebestresults.Aftermorethanfouryearsofimplementation,theprojecthasachievedexpectedresults.ThelatestevaluationbytheMinistryofHealthandtheWorldBankinMay2024showsthatdespiteseriousobjectivechallengessuchasthenegativeimpactsofCOVID-19andchangesinODAdisbursementandprojectmanagementpoliciesoftheGovernment,theprojectisstillratedasmeetingrequirements.TheWorldBankrecognisesthisprojectasthebest-evaluatedamongallhealthcareprojectsfundedbytheWorldBankinVi?tNam.Intermsofinvestment,412constructionprojects,includingupgradedornewlybuilthealthstationsandmedicalcentresin109districts/townsofthethirteenprojectprovinces,havebeencompletedandputintouse,reachingover86percentoftheplannedprojects.TheremainingprojectsareunderconstructionandareexpectedtobefullycompletedbyNovember2024.Mostprovinceshavealsosignedcontractstodeliveressentialequipmenttolocalhealthstations,thussupplementingthestationswithequipmentforprofessionaltasks.ResidentsbringtheirchildrenforvaccinationsatCamTuy?nCommuneHealthStation,CamL?District,Qu?ngTr?Province.VNA/VNSPhotoHowhastheprojectspecificallyimplementedcapacity-buildingforprimaryhealthcarestaff?Thecapacity-buildingcomponentoftheproject,usinggrantaidfromtheWorldBankandco-financiers,aimstoaddressthecapacityshortfallofprimaryhealthcarestaff.Theprojectstrainingfocusesonenhancingservicedeliveryandmanagingpriorityhealthissuesattheprimarylevel,suchashypertension,diabetes,cervicalcancer,maternalandchildcare,tuberculosis,chronicobstructivepulmonarydisease,acupunctureandrehabilitation.Toensuresustainablecapacitybuilding,theprojectdevelopsacomprehensivetrainingplanwithatwo-stepapproach:trainingprovincialtrainers(TOT)andtrainingprimaryhealthcarestaff.Thismethodensuresthataftertraining,provincialtrainerscanconductcapacity-buildingsessionsforallcommune-levelstaffinthethirteenprojectprovinces.Thecoveragerateoftrainedcommunehealthstaffishigh.Provincialtrainers,besidestrainingcommune-levelstaff,alsocontinuetosuperviseandsupportthemaftertheprojectendstoensuresustainablecapacitymaintenance.Todate,1,857provincialtrainersanddistrictsupervisorshavebeentrained(96percentofthetotaltrainingplan)and24,346communehealthstaffhavebeentrained(85.2percentofthetrainingneedsoftheprovinces).Regardinginitiativestoimprovethequalityofcommune-levelhealthcareservices,theprojecthasdesignedandpilotedaQualityScorecardforhealthstationstoself-assessservicequality,enablingthemtoplanimprovementsforunmetservicecriteria.BoththeWorldBankandtheMinistryofHealthhaveevaluatedthisinterventionasatechnicalhighlight.Intermsofcoverage,bytheendof2024,thepercentageofhealthstationsapplyingthescorecardisexpectedtoreach56percent,morethandoubletheinitialplan,andintermsofpolicyimpact,duetotheoutstandingresultsinthethirteenprojectprovinces,theMinistryofHealthhasdecidedtoconductanin-depthevaluationofthisinitiativetoprovideascientificbasisforscalingitup.TheWorldBankrecognisesthisprojectasthebest-evaluatedamongallhealthcareprojectsfundedbytheWorldBankinVi?tNam.Couldyousharelessonslearnedthatotherprojectscanlearnfrom?Afterfouryearsofprojectimplementationamidstmanyunfavourableobjectivefactors,theprojecthasdrawnseveralvaluablepracticallessons,notonlyfortheremainingphaseoftheprojectbutalsoforotherprogrammesandprojectsinthehealthcaresector.Firstly,thesuccessoftheprojectdependsonthegovernancecapacityoftheparticipatinglocalities,actingasthemaininvestorsforthesub-projectsintheirareas.Specifically,itinvolvesthedirectionandcoordinationcapacityoftheprovincialPeoplesCommittees,thecoordinationcapacityamongrelevantprovincialdepartments(DepartmentsofFinance,Construction,Health,ProvincialProjectManagementBoards),andthemanagementcapacityoftheProvincialProjectManagementBoards.Provincesneedtopersistentlypursuethelong-termgoalssetbytheprojectbutbeflexibleintheirimplementationsolutionstoadapttochangingcontextsandenvironments.Regularandcontinuouscoordination,support,guidanceandsupervisionbytheCentralProjectManagementUnitandtheWorldBankfortheprojectprovincesiscrucial,especiallygiventherelativelylimitedprojectmanagementcapacityofmanyprovinces.Notably,thequalitychecklistmodelappliedtocommunehealthstations,designedbyCentralProjectManagementUnitexperts,andthemanagementandtreatmentmodelfornon-communicablediseasesatcommunehealthstationswithtechnicalsupportfromunitshavebeenevaluatedastechnicalhighlightsoftheproject.VNS
VietnamesenursesworkinginJapan.—Photovietnamplus.vnHàN?I—TheprospectsofworkingabroadarebroadeningwithanumberofEasternEuropeannationsexpressinginterestinhiringVietnamesestaff.Ph?mVi?tH??ng,DeputyDirectoroftheOverseasLabourManagementDepartmentattheMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairs,saidthatalongsideestablishedmarketslikeJapan,Taiwan(China)andSouthKorea,thereisgrowingdemandforVietnameselabourinnewmarketssuchasRomania,Hungary,Poland,SlovakiaandSerbia.Vietnameseworkersarecurrentlyemployedabroadindiversesectorssuchasmechanicalengineering,textiles,footwear,electronicsassembly,construction,agriculture,fisheries,elderlycare,healthcareandhouseholdassistance.Theyenjoyfavourableworkingandlivingconditions,includingwelfarebenefits.IncomelevelsfortheseworkersarerelativelystableandrangefromUS$1,200to$1,600permonthinmarketslikeJapanandSouthKorea,$800to$1,200permonthinTaiwan(China)andEuropeancountries,$700to$1,000permonthforskilledworkersand$500to$600permonthforunskilledworkersintheMiddleEastandAfrica.H??ngnotedthatJapanhasconsistentlybeenthetopdestinationforVietnameseworkersinrecentyearsacrossmultiplesectors.InJune2024,Vi?tNamandJapansignedanagreementtoincreasethenumberoftechnicalinterntrainees,withplansfor40traineesthisyearand500overthenextfiveyears.Thisagreementalsobroadensrecruitmentcategoriesandconditions,particularlyaimingtoboostemploymentinlargehospitals.VietnameseworkersinJapantypicallycompriseupto50percentofthetotalannualoverseasworkforce.By2023,Vi?tNamhadsurpassedChinatobecomeJapanslargestgroupofforeignworkers,numberingover518,360individuals-asignificant63.6percentincreaseoverfiveyears.InSouthKorea,thisyearsEmploymentPermitSystem(EPS)hasseenasurgeinVietnameseapplicants,hittingarecordofnearly45,000,threetimestheintakequotaandthehighestinits20-yearhistory.TheKoreanlanguageproficiencytestwasheldinfourprovincesandcitiesofHàN?i,ThanhHóa(chǎn),?àN?ngandHCMCityfromMarchtoJune2024.Currently,over600,000Vietnameseworkersareemployedin50countriesandterritories,contributingaround$4billionannually.H??ngsaidthattheDepartmentofOverseasLabourManagementplanstoexplorenewmarketsandexpandintoEuropeinthenearfutureduetofavourableworkingconditionsandincomeopportunities.SeveralcountriesinthisregioncurrentlyhaveademandforVietnameseworkers,particularlyinagriculture.AccordingtoareportfromtheOverseasLabourManagementDepartment,inthefirstsixmonthsof2024,atotalof78,640Vietnameseworkerswereemployedabroad,reaching62.91percentoftheyearstarget.Japanledthewaybyaccepting40,596Vietnameseworkers,followedbyTaiwan(China)with27,837workers,SouthKoreawith5,582,Chinawith1,080andvariousothermarkets.InJune2024alone,morethan12,780Vietnameseworkerswereemployedabroad.—VNS
AwhoopingcoughpatientisunderspecialcareattheHu?GeneralHospital.—PhotocourtesyofthehospitalTH?ATHIêN-HU?—Whoopingcoughhasre-emergedinthecentralprovinceofTh?aThiên-Hu?aftermorethantenyears,withfivesuspectedcases,ofwhichtwoalreadytestedpositiveforthevirus,theprovincialhealthdepartmentannouncedonTuesday.AllfivecasesareundersupervisionattheHu?GeneralHospital.TwopatientswhoweretestedpositiveforthediseasearefromHu?CityandH??ngTh?yTown.Theyarechildrenunderthreemonthsold,whoeitherhavenotbeenvaccinatedorhavejustbeenvaccinatedandhavenotyetgotimmunity.Leadersofthelocalhealthdepartmentsaidthatafterrecordingsuspectedcases,thehealthsectorcoordinatedwithaffectedlocalitiestoorganiseinvestigations,taketestsamplesandsendthemtotheNhaTrangPasteurInstituteforconfirmatorytesting.Thedepartmenthassteppedupcommunicationmessagingtoraisepeoplesawarenessaboutthedisease.Thehealthsectoriscontinuingtosupervisetopromptlydetectcasesinthecommunity,aswellasinmedicalfacilitiestocontrolandpreventoutbreaks.Theprovincialhealthsectorstrengthenstheworkofadmitting,treatingandresuscitatingpatients,movingthemtoupper-levelwhenrequiredandpreventingcross-infectioninmedicalfacilities.Itmaintainsvaccinationrates,reviewingcasesthathavenotbeenvaccinatedornottotherightlevel,organisingtopupvaccinationsaccordingtotheMinistryofHealthsinstructions.Thehealthdepartmentsaidthatwhoopingcoughwasanacuterespiratoryinfectioncausedbypertussisbacteria.Thediseaseoftenoccursinchildrenunderfiveyearsold,issevereandcaneasilyleadtodeath,causingcomplicationsofbronchitisandpneumonia,especiallyinthosewhohavenotbeenfullyvaccinated.Ittransmitsthroughtherespiratorytractbydirectcontactwiththepatientsnasopharyngealsecretionswhencoughingorsneezing.Theinfectionrateishighinpeoplelivinginthesameclosedspace,suchashouseholdsandschools.StatisticsoftheDepartmentofPreventiveMedicineshowedthatinthefirstfivemonthsthisyear,thecountryrecorded127casesofwhoopingcough,7.9timesgreaterthanthesameperiodlastyear.ThemainreasonistheinterruptioninvaccinessupplyundertheExpandedImmunisationProgramme,whichhasaffectedthenationwidecoveragerate.—VNSAKUH-1ESurionHelicopterdevelopedbyKoreaAerospaceIndustriesCo.—Photoqdnd.vnSEOUL—KoreaAerospaceIndustriesCo(KAI)onAugust2announcedtherecruitmentof50Vietnameseworkersforsmallandmedium-sizedpartnersthroughGAET,apublicenterpriseundertheVietnameseMinistryofNationalDefence.ThesearethefirstforeignworkersthatKAIhastrainedintheirhomecountryandprovidedforaerospacecompaniesintheRepublicofKorea(RoK).Lastyear,KAIpromotedanoverseasprofessionalhumanresourcetrainingprojectrelatedtotheimplementationoftheE-7-3visapolicytoaddressthemanpowershortageatsmallandmedium-sizedcompaniesintheaerospaceindustry.Accordingly,itsignedamemorandumofunderstanding(MoU)withGAETtotrainandsupplyhumanresourceswithaerospaceexpertise.UndertheMoU,50excellentindividualsinVi?tNamwhoholdbachelorsdegreesinscienceandengineeringandhaveworkexperiencewereselectedandtrainedinboththeoryandpracticeaboutaircraftcomponentmanufacturingforthreemonthsatavocationaltrainingcentresetupbytheVietnameseministry.Startingthisyear,thefirstgraduateswillbesenttoKAIspartnercompaniesaswellasKoreanaerospacepartmanufacturerslikeSongwolTechnology,MiraeAviation,YulgokandSKAviation,wheretheywillworkonmachiningandassemblingaircraftparts.SongHo-cheol,headoftheKAIOperationsCentre,saidthepromotionofthisprojecthelpssolvethemanpowershortageforpartnersbymakinguseofVi?tNamsabundanthumanresourcesandinfrastructure.Inthefuture,KAIplanstotrainabout100professionalseachyearthroughVi?tNamsaerospacetrainingprogramme.—VNS
PresidentT?LamatthefestivalinC?a??ngWardonFriday.—VNA/VNSPhotoAnV?n??ngHàN?I—PresidentT?LamonAugust2emphasisedtheneedtoreformtheAllpeoplessecuritysafeguardingmovementintermsofbothformandcontentwhileattendingafestivalinthisregardinC?a??ngWardinHoànKi?mDistrictofHàN?i.PresidentLamsaidsuchmovementhasdevelopedstronglyinthecapitalcityoverthepastyears,withvariousself-managedsecurityandsafety,andanti-crimemodelsputinplaceeffectively,androlledoutonanationalscale,laudingC?a??ngasabrightspotintheeffort.Stressingtheimportantroleandpositionofthecapitalcity,which,hesaid,isthetargetofhostileandreactionaryforcesaswellascrimes,addingthatensuringsecurityandordermustbeakey,long-termtaskofthelocalpoliticalsystem.Topromotethemovement,all-levelPartyCommitteesandadministrationsinHàN?ineedtocontinueseriouslyandeffectivelydisseminatingandimplementingrelevantguidelinesandpolicies,whileraisingpublicawarenessofthedrive,thePresidentcontinued.HesuggestedthecombinationofthedriveandotheremulationmovementslaunchedbytheParty,theState,agencies,theVi?tNamFatherlandFront,andorganisations,notingrolemodelsshouldbecommendedinatimelymanner,andparticipantsinjured,killedorsufferingpropertylossesshouldreceivesupport.ThepublicsecurityandarmyforcesneedtocloselycoordinatewiththeVietnamFatherlandFrontandotheragenciesandsocio-economicorganisationsinthismovement,hecontinued.ThePresidentalsoaskedthelocalitytopaymoreattentiontodevelopingacontingentofgrassrootspoliceofficerswhohavepoliticalqualities,professionalexpertise,andareapproachable,andabletoprovideadviceforall-levelPartyCommitteesandadministrationsintheimplementationofthemovement.Onthisoccasion,theStateleaderpresentedgiftstolocalofficialsandresidents,rolemodelsinthemovement,anddisadvantagedindividuals.—VNSNationalHighway12passingthroughM??ngP?nCommunein?i?nBiênDistrict,?i?nBiênProvincehasbeenseverelydamagedbyflashfloodstriggeredbyprolongedheavyrainoverthepastweek.—VNA/VNSPhotoHàN?I—NinepeoplehavediedfollowingtheprolongedrainandheavyfloodsinnorthernVi?tNamoverthepastweek.TheMinistryofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentsDepartmentofDykeManagementandNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlreportedthatthefloodshavealsoledtotheemergencyrelocationof63households,withnearly600homessubmerged.Nearly2,500haofriceandcropswereflooded,while33.2haofaquaculturedestroyed.Intermsoftransport,over297siteshaveexperiencedlandslidesandblockages,withatotalofmorethan54,000cu.mofsoilandrockswasheddownhillsides.Immediatelyafterthedisasteroccurred,localauthoritiesvisitedandsupportedaffectedhouseholdsandmobilisedforcestoassistinrecoveryefforts.TheDepartmentofDykeManagementandNaturalDisasterPreventionandControlhasadvisedcitiesandprovincestocloselymonitorweatherforecastsanddisasterwarningsandproactivelyimplementresponseplans.AreasinthedownstreamregionsoftheH?ng(Red)RiverandTháiBìnhRiverareurgedtoensuresafetyduringtheoperationoftheS?nLa,HòaBình,TuyênQuanghydropowerdams.Localitiesshouldtakemeasurestoensurethesafetyofthedykesystemandrespondtothefloodingsituation.—VNS
ManystreetsinHàN?iaredecoratedwithnationalflagstocelebratetheNationalDayholiday.—VNA/VNSPhotoV?n?i?pHàN?I—Vi?tNamsNationalDaybreak,thefinalholidaythisyear,willtakeplacefromAugust31toSeptember3,theMinistryofLabour,InvalidsandSocialAffairshasannounced.Civilservantsareentitledtofourconsecutivedaysoff,includingoneweekendday(Saturday),twonationalholidays(SundayandMonday)andoneadditionalday(Tuesday).EmployersarerequiredtoinformemployeesoftheNationalDayholidayschedulefor2024atleast30daysinadvance.Theministryencouragesemployerstoapplytheholidayscheduleforemployeessimilarlytothatforcivilservants.Theministryalsonotedthatagenciesandcompaniesoperatingonweekends(SaturdayandSunday)maydeterminetheholidayschedulefortheiremployeesbasedontheirworkroutines.Foremployeeswhohaveaone-dayweeklyoffonSunday,theNationalDayholidayfromSeptember2willspanthreedays,fromSeptember1toSeptember3,iftheholidayisobservedonSunday(September1).IftheholidayisobservedonTuesday(September3),itwilllasttwodays,fromSeptember2toSeptember3.ForemployeeswhohaveatwodaysaweekoffonSaturdayandSunday,theNationalDayholidaywilllastfourdays,fromAugust31toSeptember3.—VNSPoliceapprehendmultipleindividualsinvolvedintheringattherestaurantinHCMCity,.—Photoplo.vnHCMCITY—Thepolicehavearrestedsevenindividuals,includingtheownersofGGRestaurant,foroperatingaprostitutionringthatcateredexclusivelytoforeigncustomers.Investigationsrevealedthattherestaurant,locatedinNguy?nTháiBìnhWard,District1,HCMCity,employedover120femalehostesses,whowereencouragedtoengageinprostitutionforafee.Itsowners,identifiedasVietnamesenationalsHoàngAnhHàoandNg?Th?Ng?cThúy,alongwithKoreannationalsChoKiwanandYuSungho,luredcustomersthroughonlineadvertisementspromisingasafeandfunatmospherewithsexydancingandwillingfemalehostesses.Theyalsoofferedtransportationservicestonearbyhotelsandluxuryapartmentswheretheprostitutiontookplace.Therestaurantstaffwereinstructedtoadmitonlyforeigncustomers(mostlyChineseandSouthKoreans)andchecktheirpassportsuponentry.Thosewithoutpassportswererequiredtohaveaguarantorforentering.Withpromisesofhighpayandcommissions,therestauranthasdrawnmanySouthKoreanmanagersandVietnamesemadamstowork.Securityguardswereconstantlypostedoutsidetherestaurant,taskedwithdispersinganyVietnameseindividualslingeringinthearea.Theyalsofrequentlychangedprostitutionlocationstoevadelawenforcement.TheillicitbusinesshasbeenoperatingsinceMay2024andissaidtohavelinedtheownerspocketswithaboutVN?10billion(US$400,000).Duringapoliceinterrogation,HoàngAnhHào,YuSungho,andNg?Th?Ng?cThúyconfessedtoinstructingstafftoengageinprostitutiontoboostrevenue.Sevenindividuals,includingthefourabovementionedowners,areinpolicecustodyandexpectedtofacechargesofbrokeringprostitution.—VNS